Paul Dano plays the fictional 'Wizard' behind Putin in new movie

NPR | By Sarah Handel,

Mary Louise Kelly, Tyler Bartlam

Published May 14, 2026 at 3:34 PM CDT

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Paul Dano about starring in The Wizard of the Kremlin, and playing the man pulling the strings for a fictional Vladimir Putin.

Sarah Handel

Mary Louise Kelly

Mary Louise Kelly is a co-host of All Things Considered, NPR's award-winning afternoon newsmagazine.

See stories by Mary Louise Kelly

Tyler Bartlam

Paul Dano plays the fictional 'Wizard' behind Putin in new movie

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